Rich Hofmann

DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR

After the big comeback, after the Phils erased a 7-0 deficit and beat the Mets by 8-7 in 13 innings last night, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins strongly suggested that some unspecified-but-premature celebration by the Mets worked to ignite the Phillies' rally from oblivion.

"The other team gives you inspiration -- let's put it that way," said Rollins, who had five hits in his first five at-bats in the game, including a home run. "And when you're able to take that and keep yourself motivated, it helps."

What did the Mets do?

"You've got to watch them," Rollins said.

Something they said or did?

"Just watch 'em," Rollins said. "Just watch 'em. If you were a player, you're looking over in that other dugout, you'll feel a certain type of way...You try to find something on any team, but especially these guys."

Body gestures? Something like that?

"Rewind the game," Rollins said. "Rewind the game."

The other shortstop (Jose Reyes)?

"Just watch the game," Rollins said. "That's all I can say -- watch the game."

Rollins would offer no other evidence. But what clearly is a rivalry between teams that genuinely don't like each other just saw the writing of another chapter.